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50 Facial Expressions and How to Draw Them

Here’s a guide to drawing a variety of different emotions, moods, and characters.

UPDATE: Do you want to use this post or images?

I am adding this update because I am asked about this post A LOT. Please review these guidelines before emailing me.

If you are a parent or teacher and want to use the chart/tips/images in a purely personal or educational way for your kids or students in the confines of your home or classroom: That is fine with me. Feel free to print and use them. There is no need to contact me.

If you are a teacher/educator/administrator and you want to use this chart in a paper, report, or other type of academic project in a professional capacity: You can reference this post if you are writing about drawing facial expressions specifically. You can only use excerpts and cannot reproduce the entire post or chart without permission. You must also credit me and refer to this link.

You can NOT use these images to illustrate any other concept other than drawing facial expressions (for example, you cannot use the images to illustrate emotions for a psychology topic, because this post is not about psychology – it’s about drawing).

In other words, if you are using the images in your paper as an EXAMPLE of how to draw facial expressions, that’s considered fair use. If you are using the image to ILLUSTRATE your paper and make it pretty, for a topic nothing to do with drawing, please do not use them.

If you want to post this chart or info on your own blog or website: You can only use excerpts and cannot reproduce the entire post or chart without permission. You must also credit me and refer to this link. There is no need to contact me.

If you would like permission to post more than an excerpt, the entire chart, or the PDF download, please contact me explaining your circumstances and to ask for permission.

If you want to use these images to illustrate your blog post or webpage for a topic that has nothing to do with drawing facial expressions, please do not use them.

If you want to use the chart for a book, logo, t-shirt, or any type of commercial use: No, please do not use any info or images from this post.

If you are interested in buying the licensing rights to use these images for your purpose: I’m sorry, but it is not for sale. Please do not use them.

If you have any doubts or questions about these guidelines, please contact me before using any part of this post or the corresponding PDF.

Tips for Drawing Facial Expressions

The Most Important Features

The Eyes – Probably the most important feature for evoking a clear emotion. Utilize the eyelids and eyebrows to create your effect.

The Cheeks – The way they squash and stretch will affect the look and position of the eyes.

The Mouth – The shape of the mouth is also very important. It affects how the cheeks move and the shape of the entire face.

Additional Tips

Note that when you move the shape and position of one feature, it affects everything else. Nothing stands completely on its own.

For a stronger drawing and character, really push the expression. Instead of simply drawing a happy person, draw one that is ecstatic; instead of drawing an angry person, draw a furious one.

Have a mirror nearby. When I’m trying to nail down an expression, I often find my own face making weird movements unconsciously. It can make for good reference.

Very nice! Regardless of whether you are drawing this figure or your own style, it’s an awesome guide to basic expressions. I use guide lines in a similar way, to keep a somewhat accurate perspective, but they are just that, guides.

awesome…handling is so gud and idea of drawing such a sketch iz fabulous becoz nothing is impossible but not even easy but DANI u have done with it n ur work iz worthy..and even self-precious….WELLDONE keep putting ur efforts to be more presentable!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

that s great!!!!! i am learning about sketching cartoons by myself now my cartoon characters got the life ………. thanx a lot… and i have downloaded .pdf file …. is there any more facial expression than these????

These facial expressions are fantastic. I am a trainee primary school teacher aide. I’m going to have some drawing lessons with some of my students with aspergers. As they have trouble reading body language and facial expressions I definently feel that your drawings are going to help them hugely.
Thanks heaps
Rach.

hiyaa. i hope you can some more pictures on your website cos i think its real good. could you possibly put some more realistic facial expressions on so that i can please learnt hem. thank you ever so much. its realy appreciated that someone goes to the reouble of helping people like me. thank you. x x x x

Thank you for taking the time to put all of these GREAT tutorials together and sharing. The information here is invaluable! Wonderful stuff and fantastic work! I’m definitely going to try out many of your tips!